Obama wearing a cap for Golden Temple visit is no issue: SGPC

Published: Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 18:46 [IST]

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Amritsar Oct.19 (ANI): The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), the premier body of the Sikhs, has said that it would have no objection to US President Barack Obama wearing a cap during his proposed visit to the Golden Temple here next month.

"We are only concerned with that one should cover his or her head as per the Sikh code of conduct," said Avtar Singh Makkar, President of the SGPC.

He confirmed that he was in contact with the American Sikh community leadership on the issue and added that the SGPC would honor Obama at the shrine with some special gifts should he decide to undertake a visit to Amritsar.

Earlier reports quoted sources as saying that Obama's Amritsar visit could be called off due to the dilemma over headscarf that the President would have to wear if he visited the Golden Temple.

As per the Sikh code of conduct, everyone has to cover his or her head with cloth and remove their shoes before entering the premises.t may be recalled that British monarch Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Phillip had visited the temple in October 1997, and at that time, the Queen wore socks and covered her head with a hat.

Rajinder Singh Mehta, a SGPC executive committee member, said: " Someone intends to sabotage the much awaited visit of the President Obama to the holiest shrines-the Golden Temple."

Kiranjot Kaur, another SGPC member, said non-Sikhs can cover their heads either with baseball cap of hat, but it is advisable for Sikhs not to wear caps while visiting Sikh shrines.

Obama was expected to visit Golden Temple on November 7, a day after he arrives in Mumbai. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)